Southern California -- this just in

Toddler dies after high-speed pursuit; mother injured

A 2-year-old girl is dead and her mother injured after their sedan was broadsided by a speeding driver in Lancaster on Thursday night, authorities said.

Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spotted the driver sometime Thursday night, swerving into oncoming traffic, ignoring red lights and reaching speeds of up to 100 mph, said Lt. Vince Carter.

The car swerved onto Avenue Y westbound and deputies pursued it. The car was more than a block ahead of the nearest patrol car when, going about 70 mph, it collided with the sedan headed north, Carter said.

The 2-year-old girl died at the hospital. The mother is in stable condition at the hospital, Carter said.

The driver, a man estimated to be in his 40s, is in custody with moderate injuries, Carter said. Police believe he was under the influence of alcohol.